Does Theory Matter?
Learning theories serve as the foundation from which instructional designers come to understand how people learn. To the designer, theories function as a blueprint which allows them to predict outcomes prior to implementing learning solutions. An instructional designer’s ability to understand different theoretical perspectives about how people learn will impact the accuracy with which they can facilitate learning, meet learning goals, and effect change. The ability to understand and apply theory correlates to the designer’s capacity to correctly identify, diagnose, and analyze learning needs.
Learning theories can inform the selection of appropriate instructional design strategies based on the target audience, which can dramatically impact the design methodology, structure of content, method of delivery, and learning needs. The appropriate application of theory influences your audience’s willingness to learn, as well as their ability retain and apply information. A miscalculation in the application of instructional design can negatively impact learner engagement and buy-in, and as a result, their openness to change or adopt a particular behavior.
Therefore, there is an inarguable relationship between learning theory and instructional design; effective instruction is the practical application of theory. The foundation of creating learning solutions stems from understanding and accurately defining the problem and who the problem impacts. An instructional designer must then be able to discern the best prescription to effectively solve the problem. This prescription, in conjunction with a clearly defined vision, will guide the design process and impact the instructional designer’s ability to develop effective learning solutions and achieve desired outcomes.
As an instructional designer, I view learning and teaching as a process of collaboration. To best meet the needs of the learner, I must first have a thorough understanding of the knowledge, experience, and motivations they bring to the table and the culture in which they operate. Effective learning involves the interaction between the student and the environment; teaching is about creating an environment that inspires the learner to take an active role in the learning process and encourages self-direction. Learning should fun, relevant, and inspirational. The efficacy of instruction relies upon the designer’s ability to correctly identify the needs of the learner and apply theory to select the best conditions and processes to create a psychological climate conducive to behavior change. Teaching, or designing, is more than making learning tangible. Teaching is a discipline which holds the power to motivate and inspire people to pursue things they didn’t believe they were capable of. My role as a teacher and instructional designer is to lead by example – with humility, a commitment to self-evaluation, and a dedication to challenging the boundaries of my capabilities.